Ocypode ryderi

Ocypode ryderi, also known as the pink ghost crab,^[1][2] is a species of ghost crab found on the east coast of Africa from the Eastern Cape Region to Kenya.^[3]

Ocypode ryderi
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Malacostraca
Order:	Decapoda
Suborder:	Pleocyemata
Infraorder:	Brachyura
Family:	Ocypodidae
Genus:	Ocypode
Species:	O. ryderi
Binomial name
Ocypode ryderi Kingsley, 1880

Identification

The body exhibits a pale pink hue with noticeable mauve/purple joints on the legs; characterized by a square carapace and long, sturdy legs. The eyes are on long stalks but lack the extended horns found in Ocypode ceratophthalma and some other Ocypode species. The larger of the two nippers has a granular stridulating organ on the palm which consists of a single row of granules. Adults are on average 35 millimetres (1.4 in) in length.^[2]

Biology

Abundant on tropical beaches that are exposed to the sea. They burrow deeply by day and emerge at night to feed on deposited carrion and small animals.^[2]

Related species

Ocypode madagascariensis is almost identical but it is sandy coloured and its legs do not have mauve joints.^[2]